For a Tennessee Titans team that had been accustomed to losing by three touchdowns or more early in the season, the margin of defeat has been less decisive in recent weeks.

It hasn’t made the losing easier to take. Two of the Titans’ most excruciating defeats of the season have come against the Colts, including a 27-23 loss on Sunday in Indianapolis. Tennessee led 20-7 at halftime before the offense continually stalled and scored just three points in the second half.

The loss officially eliminated the Titans (4-9) from the playoffs. For the final three weeks of the season, a number of players and perhaps the coaching staff will be working hard to save their jobs for next year.

Offense: B-

The offense looked sharp and efficient in the first half, as QB Jake Locker eclipsed the 200 yard mark by halftime and recorded a QB rating of 125.6. WR Kenny Britt had 127 yards after two quarters, including 46 on a spectacular one-handed grab along the left sidelines. In the second half, though, Locker looked more like a first-year starter after tossing two interceptions that led to Colts’ scores. In the third quarter, a 3-yard interception for a touchdown by Colts DB Cassius Vaughn changed the momentum of the game. RB Chris Johnson did little of anything, finishing with 44 yards on 19 carries. Previous game's grade: D

Defense: B-

The Titans harassed Colts QB Andrew Luck throughout, posting four sacks and nine QB hits. DE Derrick Morgan put forth a stellar performance with a sack and four QB hits. One of the hits led to a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown by LB Will Witherspoon. S Al Afalava also intercepted Luck. When it mattered most, however, the defense failed to come up with a key stop. Colts WR Reggie Wayne made a critical catch in the third quarter despite facing triple coverage. The Titans also surrendered an 11-yard catch to Colts TE Dwayne Allen on the game’s final drive, which effectively sealed the win. Allen was Luck’s third read on the play. Previous game's grade: B+

Special Teams: B-

P Brett Kern finished with a 55-yard average on three punts, including a long of 57. RB Darius Reynaud only had one punt return for 14 yards and had touchbacks on all six kickoff returns. K Rob Bironas made three field goals of 40 yards or less, but missed from 57. Previous game's grade: B

Coaching: C-

The Titans gave Locker a run/pass option on Vaughn’s pick-6 in the third quarter. Afterward, coach Mike Munchak took the blame for the call, admitting that they should have called a QB sneak instead from their own 1. Tennessee also committed a gaffe late in the game when Locker ran a sneak for no gain on a 1st-and-10 with 3:22 left. Locker didn’t see the officials award the Titans with a first down on a run by Johnson on the previous play. In an effort to catch the Colts off-guard, the coaching staff relayed a one-word play call to Locker through his helmet out of the no-huddle. The run wound up costing the Titans a precious down. Three plays later, the Titans punted. With three timeouts and 2:52 left, the decision to punt may have been sound. But for a team with nothing to lose, Munchak could not have been faulted for going for it. The Titans didn’t get the ball back for the remainder of the game. Previous game's grade: C-

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.